John Aschenbrenner:  

There are times when I need to go to Madison, and for old time sake I come in on Cottage Grove Road, past where QAS/QAHS once stood, and suddenly the memories of long ago rush back – from the times I got caught smoking in the cemetery, to the time Fr. Jarosch threw a typing book at me, and to those more difficult times as when Mike B. was killed in the stone quarry behind the school. Sometimes it’s difficult comprehending where the years went from the time I was 18 and graduating being 65 now. Life moved quickly for me, and continues to do so. At times I have difficulty when people say things like “I play solitaire to pass the time.” My God, Man – there’s too little if to pass any of it by. After I graduated in 1967, I went to UW-Whitewater where I double majored in Marketing and Psychology. I liked the psychology more than the marketing, and in 1971 I began my MS in Educational Psychology, specializing in “Counseling and Guidance.” In the fall of 1973 I was positioned as a High School Counselor at Eisenhower High School in New Berlin. In 1984 I became The Director of Guidance where I remained until 2004 when I officially retired. But it wasn’t about retiring. I retired on Friday of that school year and on Monday I began a ½ time position as residential counselor at Roger’s Psych Hospital, working in their alcohol and drug addiction program – The Herrington Program. Almost immediately I also took over the Aftercare Group meeting on Wednesday evenings. Why work there after I was pensioned in Education? In 1998 I realized I had a problem with alcohol and spent 7 weeks at the treatment center where I presently work. Although I went back to my High School for the next 6 years, and now also as their AODA Counselor, I felt the need to continue my “giving back” and took the position at the same treatment where I was treated. My family, children and friends were extremely supportive during that difficult and very humbling period of time. But now, 16 years later, I feel I’m helping support and encourage other’s attempting to come into their own continuing recoveries. I continue to sponsor many new to the process. My wife Jane, and I were married in 1975 and we’ll be celebrating 39 year years in December. Jane is a retired 4th Grade teacher and continues to do subbing in the Watertown Schools. We have three children, all grown, married and in their professions. Annie is Associate Director of Admissions and an Adjunct Professor of Ed. Psych at Carroll College, Michael is Professor of Art History at Carroll College, US-Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. Andr...Expand for more